Second-half goals from Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud ensured Arsenal's place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

French hitman Giroud continued his rich vein of form with an 88th minute winner, as he made it a goal in each of his last six starts for the Gunners.

But Arsenal were made to work for it by the Championship side, after a dismal first half from Arsene Wenger's side.

Callum Robinson put Preston ahead in the seventh minute, turning home from close range, as North End made a bright start.

Callum Robinson scores the first goal (Image: Alan Walter/Reuters)

Ramsey fired Arsenal level at the start of the second half (Image: Getty)

Simon Grayson’s men caused the visitors problems with their tenacity, and could have had a second before the break, but Robinson’s effort was turned off the line by Nacho Monreal while Shkodran Mustafi also blocked the goalscorer.

Wenger will have no doubt had harsh words for his side at half-time, and within 50 seconds of the restart they responded, Ramsey firing into the net from the edge of the area.

It looked as though the Gunners were going to be forced into a replay however, until Giroud latched onto Lucas Perez's backheel and found the net.

Here are Alex Richards' player ratings from Deepdale:

Giroud handed Arsenal victory (Image: Dave Howarth/PA)

Preston ratings

Chris Maxwell 6

Safe hands and good decision making throughout, but beaten twice.

Marnick Vermijl 6

Solid at full-back and supported the attack well.

Tom Clarke 6

Powerful defender enjoyed his battle with Olivier Giroud.

Clarke marshalled the Preston defence well (Image: REUTERS)

Paul Huntington 6

Ex-Newcastle and Leeds defender looked comfortable for the most part - until bumped by Lucas late on for Giroud's winner.

Greg Cunningham 6

Safe and assured on the left side of the hosts' defence, booked for a crunching challenge on Lucas.

Paul Gallagher 6

Experienced wide man worked hard for the cause before being subbed.

Ben Pearson 7

Stamped his authority all over Xhaka with a tenacious showing.

Pearson was everywhere in the North End midfield (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Daniel Johnson 6

Kept things simple in midfield but didn't make much impression as an attacking force.

Aiden McGeady 7

Made the opening goal and put on the kind of display in the first half that makes you wonder what might have been?

Callum Robinson 8 MOTM

Scored early and troubled Arsenal with his pace and intelligent movement.

Callum Robinson celebrates his opener (Image: Getty)

Jordan Hugill 6

Offered a focal point to the North End attack and at times bullied Gabriel.

Subs: Browne (Gallagher 58), (Makienok 75), Horgan (Johnson 80)

Subs not used: Lindegaard, Doyle, Spurr, Pringle.

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Arsenal ratings

David Ospina 5

A mixed bag; some good takes and saves, but also spilled shots and the occasional flap at a cross.

Ospina comes out to meet Paul Gallagher (Image: Michael Regan/Getty)

Ainsley Maitland-Niles 4

Looked out of his depth at right-back and struggled against McGeady

Shkodran Mustafi 5

Made an excellent block to deny Robinson a second, but looked lost without Koscielny.

Gabriel Paulista 3

Error-ridden performance. Couldn’t get to grips with Robinson’s pace or Hugill’s power.